The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1887-06-15

Walterboro, AbbcNi'lc, Marion, Fairfield
and Darlington Distinguish themselves
in Music and Art.
From the News and Courler.)
CHARLOTTE, n. c., June 1.-The most
interesting event which occurs in Char
lotte is the annual commencement of its
well-kuown and we'll patroniZed institute
for young ladies. SO many of the citi-
zens have their daughters there, and the
increasing efficiency and popularity OF
the school is so marked, that the success
of the institute is a matter of patriotism
to the Charlottean. The commencement
exercises of May 81 were moro than
usually interesting, from the number of
graduates, and the distribution of the
handsome gold medals as prizes which
had been contendcd for during the SEES
sion. South Carolina, as usual, came in
for n fair share in the distribution of the
honors of graduation and of the prizes.
Among the graduates were Misses
Ruth Allen, of Florence, Nettie Drafts,
of Lexington county. and JCsie and
Matte lard, of Walterboro. These
young ladies also received, severally,
four of the i've medals given to those
graduates only who had manifested
diligence and Improvement in the music
uSpaiIllcnV. Liz pIiAS lOl tue pCSG
essay on the origin and development OF
the English language, was also awarded
to Miss Allen, who, graduating first in
her class in the literary department., and
becoming the most accomplished per-
former on the piano OF all the under
graduates, made the name of South
Carolina quite distinguished at the com
mencemcnt.
For months great interest had been
excited by the competition of the art
pupils for the two handsomogold medals
offered in their departlnent-ono by
Col. II. G. Jones for the best collection
of drawings, and one by the Hon. II. Y.
McAden for the best collection of oil
paintings. The award OF the prizes was
kept n profound secret until the COM
mencemcnt. The decision was made by
judges who did not know the names Of the
contestants. Yet both prizes were borne
of by South Carolina, Miss Sophy Has.
kell, OF Abbevillc, being awarded the
prize for the best collection of crayons,
and Miss Maggie McDougald, of Marion
county, the one for the best collection
of oil paintings.
The b~accalaurcatc address was deliv-
cred by the Rev. W. b. Jennings, of
Rock Hill, who began in n witty and
ioSSlAouo LhdIlASl, " give AdNiSOu , us
section of q worldly woman's heart. He
became more grave as he proceeded, and
in an eloquent and impressive manner
painted in glowing colors the high and
true life which it was woman's destiny
and privilege to live. Mr.. Jennings sus-
tanned the high reputation he has made
in Charlotte in his visits to the churches
here, as an able and eloquent young
divine.
The art exhibit Of the institute this
year eclipscs that Of any previous one.
Miss Thompson, who before she came
here had a studio in Albany, n. Y, has
brought her pupils to q higher standard
than ever before.
Miss Annie Clowncy, of Fairfield
county, had n most c~rcditable display of
oil paintings. Miss Haskells exhibit, as
already mentioned, took tho prize for
the best crayons. Her psychic was an
exquisite piece of art. Miss Matte
Izard's collection attracted n great deal
of attention. There was a very fine
crayon portrait in it, "not n solar print"
the teacher and young ladies were care
ful to inform the visitor; ''we are not
photographers here, but artists" Miss
Louise Keith, from Darlington, had n
beautiful exhibit OF oil paintings and
NidWIuSS. JIISS -lufy EDCCCu s e&lllDil
was SO excellent That before the prize
was awarded for croyons opinion was
equally divided between hcrandtho sue
cessfui competitor. One OF Miss Stced's
drawings took the prize at tho fair here
last fall. Miss McDougald, as already
mentioned, took the prize in oil paint
ings. Her collection of paintings was
extensive and exceedingly fine.
Among the undergraduates whose
names were read out as distinguished"
in tier studies were the names Of Misses
Louise Keith, Mary Stecd, of Marion,
n Lotto Henderson, of WATERFORD.
Last night, June l, the annual concert
came off. 1t was an event much looked
forward to, as the new professor, Mr..
Rowsc, was to give his first public con
cert. 1t was pronounced the best which
had been given in the institute for many
years. Miss Ruth Aliens playing al
ways attracts attention. She is more
than n pupil in music; she is an artist.
Her professor, in speaking of her play
ing, remarked that he did not think
there were half a dozen ladies in the
South who could play so well. Miss
Matte lzard's singing was enthusiastical-
ly encored.
Taking it altogether, South Carolina
can well afford to feel proud of the way
her daughters represent her abroad.